Free Wolf Creek Alpha (Texas Pack 1) by Jo Ellen Page A

couldn’t help questioning her .
    “Are they wolves too?”
    “Yes, it’s in their blood from birth , not changed by the waters .  Shifters seem to have the dominant gene.  They can start shifting around the time they start walking.  And no, I did not give birth to a puppy,” Steph cracked up , anticipating the question.
    “ Ok ay , that would have been just too strange.   What’s it like?  I mean, how do you handle all this?”
    “First, I love my life, my family.  It scares me to think about what ifs.  What if the day Colin came to the station, I had been off?  Or sometimes I remember the moment he told me he was a wolf.  Let me tell you, Lisa, I was ready to run.  I really do understand what you’re going through right now.  I can only tell you to trust your instincts.  If you don’t give Rafe a chance, I promise you it would be the biggest mistake of your life,” she said solemnly. 
    “I have decided to stay and get to know him.  Beyond that, I don’ t know.”
    Stephanie picked Amy up while Lisa took hold of Sarah’s hand.  They made their way around through the woods to the other side of the castle.  Finding the stables, they went inside to see the horses. 
    “Can we go for a ride, please, Mommy?” asked Sarah.
    “ May we go riding , not can, and m aybe tomorrow.  We need to get back and cleanup for dinner.”
    Rafe entered as they were leaving.  He swung Sarah up into his arms, smooching her cheek loudly as she giggled.
        “Can , I mean, may we ride the horses tomorrow, Uncle Rafe?”
    “If you r mom says it alright, then yes, but wait for an a dult.  Never go near the horses alone. ”
    They were too young to be left unsupervised, but he knew how fast pups could run off.  Rafe walked along side Lisa as they returned to the house. 
    “Mom is in the kitchen making dinner.  Don’t worry about meeting her.  She’s not an ogre, trust me,” he grinned.
    “Oh than ks, you’re just so reassuring,” she said smartly.
    Entering the kitchen, Lisa saw a woman with auburn hair standing at the stove.  This was Mom ?  She l ooked so young, and pretty . 
    “Mom, this is Lisa.  Lisa, my mother, Elizabeth.”  He kept the introductions short, as Elizabeth was already talking to Lisa.
    “I am so happy to meet you.  P lease make yourself at home,” Elizabeth said taking her hands.  
    “Thank you, Elizabeth.  It’s a beautiful place.”
    “Please, call me Liz.  We’re pretty informal around here.  Go have a drink and relax.  Dinner will be ready in about thirty minutes.”
    Both Stephanie and Lisa offered to help, but she shooed them out of the kitchen.  They ran into Colin in the great room. 
    “I’m going up to bathe the girls,” Stephanie gave Colin a pointed look. 
    Laughing, Colin said, “I think I’ve been summoned.  See you at dinner.”
    “Let me get you a drink, I’ll be right back,” Rafe said.
    Lisa settled herself on the sofa.  Looking around the room, she was admiring a huge painti ng above the fire place.  In the painting was a castle, which looked like the one she was in now.  Trees surrounded it with mountains rising in the distance .  The sun was shining off the water in front of the castle .  Looking closer, she realized there was a pack of wolves in the forest.  Of course, she thought.  It wasn’t like there would be a herd of elephants in the background.
    Rafe returned, handing her a glass.  Taking a sniff, she recognized her favorite soda.  He sat down next to her, his thigh touching hers. 
    Sheesh, these wolves did not recognize personal space.  She almost told him that he was in her bubble and for him to scoot over. 
    “How did you know to get me Dr. Pepper?” she asked.
    “Stephanie told me.  She said it was the way to lure you here.  If I tell you I bought a case, will you stay?  Or would it take the whole bottling company?”
    “ Oh, you don’t have to buy the company, I’d take stock, ” she said deadpan